Thailand Apartment vs House Rental (what you should know...) 

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I lived in a 30sqm 9000 baht/mo condo in Bangkok. Then moved into a 3 bed/3bath two story house with front, back, and side yards in a gated community with security, pool, and fitness for 16,000 baht/mo about 5 km away. I completely agree; a house is a much better deal overall. Yes, I pay more but I got so much more in return. I used to wake up to the hum of traffic. Now I wake up to the sounds of nature. Quality of life is so much better now.

Yes would love to see a house tour.

You mentioned briefly security, that's always been my concern about living in a house rather than a condo especially if you are living in a quieter area. Being a falang automatically makes you more at risk from burglary or home invasion as the assumption is always going to be that you have money or valuables worth stealing. At least with condo living you have some level of protection

I always get a kind of "nature sense" from you videos/Chang Mai, hearing birds sing and all, that's cool!

Thank you for loving my motherland

Hey Brett, another great video. One of the things that drew me to subscribe, as you look at having a life in Thailand, rather than being a long term guest or tourist. Keep up the good work.

When I first arrived here I got caught in that trap. Thought I was getting a great deal on a small Condo for 4500. a month. Then soon found out at end of month I was getting charged 10 baht a unit for electric. I was gone the end of the next month. Glad I never had a lease. Always ask when you rent. How much is water? How much is electric? Cheers

Subscribed.....Cheers for the vid...! I traveled around Thailand in the early 2000’s and thinking about coming back next year. Your videos answer many of the questions 👍👍

Extremely helpful information. Thank you sir!

That was an eye opener.. thanks Brett

Hi Brett - I just wanted briefly share with you how much I truly enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work. Jay 🏄

Another great vid dude! - looking forward to more teaching English online info

Yes thank you! this was on my mind

Nice you're back, you've been missed

I agree with your friend Mark.. pool, gym, and efficient utilities in a nice Thai condo.

Cool video. Great infos to prepare for my next year trip 💪😁

great job.loved this video.

A tour of the house would be nice. It was good meeting you. Another logical and informative video.

Both your new video ideas sound good, I would like to see them both.

Nice, thanks for the info and video, you got yourself another sub 👍🏻🙏🏻😉🇨🇭

great log brett thanks for your time as always mint place you have there also brett great to see you sharing the prices some vlogs on eating out and prices please warm regards jamesey

Bret even if you haven’t got pets it’s absolutely huge there mate two balcony’s but the air conditioner isn’t that good but noisy but it’s big mate it’s a bit dated but the new condos 35 square meter dingy kitchen but let’s face it when your on your own you can eat out and you don’t need a big space

nice one! very informative!

Hello Brother, you are so kind to provide your experience living in chiangmai

Excellent advice. Going back and watching your older videos about Thailand. Something that weighs heavily on my mind is safety for foreigners, particularly women. I'm sure location matters. Can you speak about Chiang Mai? I love CM!! Keep up the valuable content!

Hey Brett first tie watching, id love to be there have a Great time,,👍

Thanks...... I will be out in Chiang Rai in more than a year...love the country life... but will be in a Condo near the food and cafes in Chiang Mai.

yes defintely a tour!

We lived at Flora House for a bit. There are a whole stack of little villas behind the main building at the front, and that's where people with dogs tend to live. The villas were 12,000 a month, I think, but that was back in 2014.

Thank you so much, lot of information. I have 6 cats, ( had 8 two passed) . Renting a house it is the best option.

Great vid from a guy who previously skipped his rent in a Chiang mai apartment

Thank you -- very practical advice... That's the sort of thing I seek. About me -- and why I watch: 63 years old, good health, non-drinker, not into bar scene or sex tourism, a U.S. citizen with decent but not lavish retirement income. Beginner student in Thai language. Been to Thailand twice; a couple weeks first, then a month -- in November (Covid dependent) hoping to return for 3 months to really "scout" things out. Ultimately, hope to live in Thailand 6 months out of each year. Mostly familiar with Southern Thailand -- have developed friendships (both Thai & farang) with people in north Phuket (Naiyang), Khaolak, Surat Thani and Koh Samui (Maenam)... Because of the airport on Samui, was thinking of using this as a "hub" for exploring more of Thailand during my next trip. I want to be more than just a "tourist"... prefer the small towns and villages to big city. Preferably a humble house or bungalow as opposed to lavish resort or condo. Among my skills are English language document editing and "ghost writing" (i.e., anonymously writing for other people). My previous profession was in environmental science and conservation. Not yet been to Chiang Mai -- but it's on my list. Other places I wish to explore next time around is the areas around Krabi. All that being said (and thank you if you read THIS far), I guess I really don't have a question... ...but rather, seek to learn more about the questions I SHOULD have. Korp kuhn krap...🙏

I really think that Houses in Chiang Mai are better value for money than Apartments, and more space, I would want to have a garden of my own, so I would choice a House on the outskirts of the city, nice area you live and a pool next door what more do you need, only think I would have to have is great wi-fi connection. Please give us a house tour and 10 things not to do in Thailand

I can see here Mark is coming from - he needs a space that feels secure and right for him to work in. Also he’s fairly new to Thailand compared to yourself , what I mean is that your much more settled in .

Thanks !

Good stuff

Do both - but do the house your first 😎 New viewer and found this video good, loved the ambience of the outdoors location.

Hi i noticed that to a house is usualy cheaper and bigger as per square meter thanks nice vid and advice.....

Love the place you live ! That house looks so nice 😍 I would chose a house too! Don’t like the condos ! The reception and the vibe is not nice in a condo... and the tiny rooms

Please make both videos.

I can't wait to come back to Chiang Mai. When do you expect they are going to open the borders again ?

House tour Def! Along with rent cost, monthly electricity, water,... Would be great. Also very curious about those 30 years lease of land where you can build a house. Have you thought of that? Because year-to-year rent seems exhausting to move out your stuff just when you're getting cozy. Do owners increase the rent rapidly especially after you make improvements?

Good video, but as you mention near the beginning - it boils down to individuals' different priorities. The idea of living in a condo horrifies me, but others prefer to live in 'town' centres, with easier access to shops/entertainment venues. Plus, condos are generally more modern than houses in the same price range.

The only cheap house you'll get in the city are those little 40sq metre terraced ones. You usually get a row of six or eight. Gloomy inside, but only 2,500 right next to the centre in a place like Udon. More elsewhere, but basically the same cost as a studio.

Thank you

Thx.

great i am a member !

We are planning an extended stay in Thailand end of the year first of the new. We enjoy your videos and all the info. How are the borders since covid hit?

Very informative and helpful. I wonder who build a house with one bedroom and two bathrooms (according to fb ad on @7:24) haha

Hey Brett, Another really good, informative video. This is all good to know. I had just about given up on the idea of moving to Thailand as it sounds like the government is hostile to farangs now. If you are still there then it is encouraging. Have you run into any discrimination?

I know this is an older video, you do such great and informative videos. So different from the other blogs that are repetitive and carbon copies of each other.

I’d love to see the house

lol, I've been looking into /dreaming about renting a house in thailand and came into this video to get brought down to earth, but I probably got my hopes up even further :-DDDD

Ideas for new video: Things to do in your free time in CM 10 things not to do in CM (the idea you mention in the video) Top 5 public pools in CM Top 10 one-day trips in and around CM

Hey Bret, What do you do about security of your stuff? I’ve travelled to Thailand lots, but have used hotels which typically have had safes. What do you do for condo or house rentals for security of laptop, phone, passport, cash, gear etc when you’re away from home for the day or several days. Thanks man.

Brett, good info buddy. If I may, regarding the electric bill..it so stupid but what's more surprising is that, we expect better from them.. lol I agree with you 100% with, letting people pay their electric charge so they see what they actually use and paying SERVICE FEE lol to them. At least there isn't any mistrust from the get go. Is there any possibility you can get info on Golf Clubs, and in particular fees to play or join as a member. Thanks in advance and stay safe PS. Just subscribed!!

Thank you very much for those informations can i ask you about condo prices to buy and the cost of the rent like (about 30 000$ condo you can rent it for 200$/months )

DO A HOUSE TOUR ! HOW BIG ARE THE HOUSES GENERALY IN SQUARE METERS?

Brett, Do most rental houses come furnished? I plan on retiring in two years, but when I show up in LOS I will only own what I'm carrying. How expensive is furniture if I rented a house instead of condo?

do house rentals come furnished? and who is responsible for the yard maintenance?

I wonder whether it will be possible or when it will be possible to get a visa let alone a house or condo!

My husband and I are thinking of relocating abroad from US and am very interested in this location. We found your videos very informative! Just curious what challenges we could face - we have a 10 year old kid. Also is it difficult to get long term housing? We would be looking for year long contracts/leases for a private home - and also the obvious question now is how is the city handling the virus? Any closures? Thanks again! Tina

House in nature for sure

Guys, I have good news!! Today, May 1st, at about 5 pm, the PM of Thailand has announced that "Sales of Alcoholic Drinks" will finally be permitted from May 3rd forward, but for takeaways only, no dine-in is allowed. Yayy! Finally you can drink beers in Thailand!

Any Aussies or fellow kiwis watching this thinking of moving to or going to Thailand?

How about the alternative areas close to Chiang Mai?...10 things don't to do world be my choice!

Can you give a video for moving to Thailand as a family? Like what would the costs be. You always do single man heading to Thailand.

Is the house still available to you next door looked amazing. What area are you or next to that public pool. Looks amazing

Are property prices of such houses falling given the Covid-19 situation? How is the internet and wifi connections?

House for me Brett.

So do u live there and how long.Thinking of moving there

House.

If the house has fruit trees I'm all in. Beats walking to the markets. lol

it is Feel Like in the Philippines That Country

Is it easy to ship things over there?

I have a Yorkie pet Dog ,im from New Jersey USA. What is involved in bring dog to CHIANG MAI FOR 6 MONTHS.

I'm a new sub for your page I'd love to know more about places to rent

The rules didn't really sound that bad. Drilling holes? Good info though. Thanks

What is 8 baht? Is that per kilowatt hour? What is govt. Rate 4 to 5 Thai baht . Per day ? Kilowatt hour??? Thanks

When getting the house with it not having security is crime a real risk for robberies or break ins? Bringing 2 cats and staying for a year so debating house vs condo but obviously concerned being a target.

You would also get a gym in a Condo?

I'd love to see the house...and hear your 10 things not to do Haha.

How much dose your place cost?

Great video, I have a condo in Samrong near Bangkok and some of the rules are stupid, and expensive. Have you not thought about leaving Thailand yet? The visas are not as easy as before. I am playing with the idea of moving to Vietnam. But haven’t made a decision yet

A house definitely seems more preferable after watching this video. Does anyone know if people can enter Thailand atm? Or at least in the next 2 months?

Hey Dev, moving to Chiangrai soon for long term, any decent houses with some space to rent? really love that space man

You might have mentioned it and I miss it....How much is your rent? And, is the bathroom Thai style where the shower is not separated from the toilet? Lastly, please tell me you have automatically flushing toilets ;).

How much for a taxi if you don't ride a scooter?

The whole.time I am thinking ... Yes a condo in the city is perfect. Tired of the suburbs.

How easy is it to rent, please? I was adopted from Thailand by Swedish parents at an early age, and so it says in my passport that I was born in Bangkok, Thailand. However, I've lost my adoption papers. Does this help, when renting in Thailand, please?

but condo doesnt provide gas stove in kitchen,,and also there is not much space available,,, so we have to use electric stove only?????Im planning to move to thailand,,plz help me

There is also far less chance of finding occasional snakes, centipedes etc. in your living quarters, when living in a condo - compared to when living in a slightly remote house, surrounded by nature. It takes a few years to stop panicking about (in particular) a snake in the house.

Hi...good video but you never mentioned the immigration requirements forced on owners/landlords to report to immigration (part of the police) when a foreigner arrives and leaves (even if only for a weekend they have to report the person leaving and when they return). Google TM30 which is the document they have to use. Some owners can't be hassled and so won't rent to foreigners.

Funnily enough I stayed at Green Hills for a year when I was first in Thailand, I enjoyed it but yeah the shop house I moved to was just as good but less amenities. I now when I can get back live in Isaan in a 3 bedroom house in a smallish town which cost 5000 baht a month, luckily my thai partner did the leg work and found it they arent advertised much and usually they want to sell but you can haggle them down to rent. Anyway thanks for your video as I just found your channel.

Yes please, ten things you shouldn't do to ruin your time.

What websites do you use to find housing?

Why don't you convert bahts into dollars.i don't know what a baht is

Comments on getting good fresh produce when you're further out of the city?

No Brett you should name them (wi-fi condo bollox).